British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is to stand down as Conservative Party leader after losing the support of his ministers and MPs.
He is to step down as Conservative Party leader following a wave of resignations from the government over his leadership and is expected to give a resignation statement outside No 10 Downing Street later.
A Conservative leadership contest will take place soon after which a new prime minister will be in place in time for the party conference in October, but in the meantime, Boris Johnson will continue as prime minister.
Boris Johnson became prime minister in July 2019 but his government has been dogged by a series of controversies in recent months.
The controversies included a police investigation into parties in Downing Street during Covid lockdown, as well as revelations about the prime minister’s handling of sexual misconduct allegations against former Deputy Chief Whip Chris Pincher.
The UK Prime Minister initially refused to go without a fight, sacking close ally and senior cabinet minister Michael Gove, who tried to make Johnson accept his time is up, according to sources.
More than 50 ministers have resigned from the government since Tuesday, with many lawmakers furious about the botched handling of the resignation by Johnson’s former deputy chief whip, Chris Pincher, who was accused of groping two men last week. (NewsWire)